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Title:
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
(Production Designer)

Started at Hallmark:
August 1997

Started at Keepsakes:
August 1997

Hometown:
Clinton, Iowa

Deb Nielsen grew up raising horses, and was an artist, seamstress and beauty stylist along the way. She never imagined that one day, she’d draw from all these experiences as a Hallmark Keepsake Artist. Now Deb’s love for animals (and beautiful, detailed sculpting) are on proud display in all of her Keepsake creations. That includes the ornaments in the A Pony for Christmas series, which Deb has guided since artist Linda Sickman retired several years ago.

Sculpting horses can be tricky, but this labor of love has become a life-long passion for Deb. Her authentically inspired designs require a sharp eye for detail that comes from a childhood of growing up around horses—and around the growing collection of models on her desk!

Deb has always loved art—and her beautiful show horses. These were, after all, the inspiration and models for her first drawings and paintings as a child. But when it came time for college, she went to beauty school rather than an arts program. Deb knew she didn’t want to teach, but she didn’t know there were other options with an art degree! Ironically, Deb now uses her cosmetology experience to fashion the hair and makeup on Madame Alexander® ornaments.

In addition to her other talents, Deb used to sew wedding gowns, and she is able to use that fashion experience in the fabric attachments she creates for our ornaments. Deb loves the details of her job, from dreaming up new ornament concepts to the intricate sculpting detail involved in bringing her sculpts to life.

And more than a Keepsakes Artist, Deb is the proud mother of Mallory, who “expresses her art through words,” has successfully achieved her Masters in Communication, and is now a proud wife and mom herself.

In Deb’s spare time, she enjoys painting, interior design, exploring the great outdoors and spending time with her husband—fellow Hallmark Keepsake Artist Steve Goslin.

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